Matt Murphine was a happy loving person. He grew up in Laguna surfing, hanging with friends, playing baseball, and graduated from Laguna Beach High School in 1975. Surfing at Sleepy Hollow with his buddies, having all the girls hanker after him, that was the best. Everyone loved Matt.

He was so unpretentious and open and always happy. He also loved to cook. His first job was at Colony Kitchen where there was an opening between the kitchen and dining area. He loved to regale customers while cooking their breakfasts. He went on to cook at numerous other restaurants in Laguna and Dana Point, including Luciana’s, Dana Point Resort and Chart House. He managed the Pizza Company in Dana Point for seven years before it went out of business when the economy went south. Murphine was an avid guitar player and loved making music at his home and with his friends. He was an athlete who didn’t care to compete, enjoying bicycling and skateboarding and surfing for the thrill of the sport.

Murphine lost his two-year battle with throat cancer surrounded by family and friends at his family home in Laguna. He leaves behind his mother and step-father, Lu and John Campbell, his sister, Darcy and his brother, Tom, as well as his nephew, Seth and niece, Melia. He will be so missed by many.

Services are pending. In lieu of flowers the family would encourage contributions to American Cancer Society.

One Comment

Joan MurphineNovember 5, 2012 at 7:19 am

Matt was also the beloved son of the late Thomas A Murphine, Editor and Editor and Chief of the Daily Pilot Newspaper; the grandson of the late Thomas Murphine the first Mayor of San Clemente and the great-grandson of Thomas Murphine,the first Police Chief of San Clemente. Matt was warm and loving and fun,and even as teen-ager he had a depth of understanding of human nature beyond his years. His friendship was of great value.